It has been a year since the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, China and the drama surrounding Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva continues.

After several months of hemming and hawing and other delay tactics, the Russian tribunal overseeing the case determined that a then 15 year old Valieva, “bore no fault or negligence” after she had tested positive for a banned substance.

The World Anti-Doping Agency has filed an appeal over the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.  WADA is seeking a four year ban of the skater and for any results of her skating be disqualified starting with the date she submitted the sample for testing – December 25, 2021.  Speaking on their appeal, WADA noted the Russian decision was “wrong under the terms of the World Anti-Doping Code in this case.”

Due to the controversy, no medals in the events in question have yet to be presented.  The United States figure skating team who finished in second behind the Russians with Valieva on the team have rightlfully expressed frustration over the delays and a lack of a medal ceremony.

While considered a national treasure in her homeland, Russian figure skating coach Russian figure skating coach Eteri Tutberidze is known for focusing on very young talent and working the girls very hard.  So much so, that any of them seldom compete in more than one Olympics.  Even without a ban, Valieva would be 19 for the next Winter Olympic games – old by Tutberidze’s standards.

The International Skating Union has since raised the minimum age for skater to compete in Olympic games to 17; which will take effect for the next Winter games in 2026.